A Special Kind of Bread

When we first moved to Hailey, Idaho, our new neighbours (now long gone) came over and knocked on our door within just a few days of us moving in. The couple (whose names I have now totally forgotten) presented us with a loaf of bread and a large ziploc (sandwich) bag with a gooey creamy substance in it. They also handed us a recipe. It was Amish Friendship Bread.

The principle is this: The Amish, a religious cultural group who shun almost all modern technology (think Kelly McGillis in Witness), are the only ones who know how to make the "starter" for this bread. When someone gives you a starter you keep it for 10 days doing various things to it during that time (stirring it, adding to it, all with non-metallic, non-electric means), then on the 10th day you separate out what you have into 4 bags, make some bread for yourself with the remaining batter and then pass on the 4 bags, or "starters" to 4 friends (or keep one for yourself and pass it on to 3 friends).

Last week, my neighbour Sue brought over a starter for me, almost 4 years from the date that our old neighbours gave us one, and this photo is the result! The bonus was that this time I was easily able to think of 4 close friends to pass it on to... proving to us I think that we are finally feeling at home here.